Veteran Pakistani pop singer Hasan Jahangir has officially confirmed that the makers of Dhurandhar paid him a staggering $50,000 (approximately ₹45 lakh) to secure the rights to his legendary 1987 track, 'Hawa Hawa'.
Here is the complete breakdown of Jahangir's big revelation, how the industry's copyright system has evolved, and why that specific Sanjay Dutt entry scene became an instant cinematic classic!
The Big Revelation on Pakistani Television 📺
The Interview: The 80s pop icon recently appeared on ARY Digital's Ramadan transmission, Shan-e-Sahoor, hosted by Nida Yasir. During a candid conversation about his career resurgence, he dropped the massive financial detail.
The Box Office Math: Without initially naming the film, Jahangir mentioned that a recent project made on a ₹300 crore budget had gone on to earn over ₹1,100 crore, and the makers paid him $50,000 for his track. Fans and the host instantly decoded that he was talking about the Ranveer Singh-led Dhurandhar!
The Copyright Shift: Expressing his satisfaction with how professional the industry has become, Jahangir noted, "Earlier, there was no copyright system. But now, whoever wants to use my songs first takes permission and also pays for it." He proudly added that Hawa Hawa, which he recorded in 1986 and launched in 1987, is still commanding such immense respect nearly 40 years later.
The Ultimate Cinematic Entry 🎬
If you have seen the first Dhurandhar film, you already know exactly why the makers were willing to pay such a premium for this specific track!
The Desert Showdown: Director Aditya Dhar used the upbeat, infectious rhythm of Hawa Hawa to score the grand entry of Sanjay Dutt's character, SP Chaudhary Aslam.
The Vibe: As Dutt's character confronts a gang of heavily armed drug peddlers in the middle of a stark, white desert, the cheerful 80s pop track playing in the background creates a brilliantly chaotic, Tarantino-esque contrast that had cinema halls erupting in cheers.
A Benchmark for Bollywood 🎵
Dhurandhar heavily leaned into retro nostalgia, featuring several other classic tracks like Ramba Ho by Usha Uthup and Piya Tu Ab To Aaja. However, openly paying an international legacy artist such a handsome sum for a two-minute sequence sets a fantastic precedent for the industry. It proves that proper licensing and respecting original creators is always better than churning out uncredited, soulless remixes!
SantaBanta Verdict:
You have to give massive credit to Aditya Dhar and his production team! In an era where Bollywood is constantly criticised for stealing old melodies without compensating the original artists, the Dhurandhar team did it the right way. They paid top dollar, secured the legal permissions, and delivered a theatrical moment that perfectly bridged the gap between the 80s generation and today's Gen Z audience!
